Is Your Pool Leaking in Winter?
Luckily, unlike many repair services, your pool usually does not need to be drained in order to locate a winter leak. This can be a fairly common problem for homeowners that goes undetected when the pool is not in use. APL is adept at locating winterized pool leaks and identifying their source or sources, which is critical for preventing damage during the colder months that lead to costly surprises when Summer rolls around.
If you suspect your pool is leaking in winter, you can learn more about Our Professional Services.
How Can You Tell If Your Pool Is Losing Water Under the Cover?
Detecting water loss during the winter can be difficult since the pool is covered. However, there are several signs that may indicate a leak.
One of the most obvious indicators is when the pool cover begins to sag or collapse into the pool. This typically happens when the water level underneath the cover drops too low to support the weight of the cover.
Other signs to watch for include:
- A sagging or sinking winter pool cover
- The need to add water multiple times during the winter
- Ice forming where water should normally support the cover
- A noticeable drop in water level when checking under the cover
If the cover is not sagging, the best way to check for a potential leak is simply to look underneath the cover and inspect the water level.
Can a Cover Pump Cause Water Loss?
In rare cases, water loss during the winter may not actually be caused by a leak.
If your pool has a solid safety cover or tarp, it likely uses a small pump that sits on top of the cover to remove rainwater. If the cover or tarp develops a hole, the pump could potentially pull water from inside the pool instead of just removing rainwater from the surface.
If you suspect this might be happening, try the following test:
- Fill the pool back to the proper water level
- Remove or unplug the pump sitting on top of the cover
- Monitor the pool water level to see if the water loss continues
If the water level still drops after the pump is removed, the problem is likely the standard pool leak during winter rather than a pump issue.
Where Do Winter Pool Leaks Usually Come From?
Most plumbing lines are plugged during winterization, which means they usually cannot be the source of the leak. The exception is the bottom drain lines, which remain active.
Because of this, most winter pool leaks originate from:
- The pool structure
- The pool light or light niche
- Bottom drain plumbing lines
- Structural seams or fittings
Locating these leaks often requires professional equipment and experience, which is why many homeowners contact APL for assistance.
If you’re worried about potential pool damages, we encourage you to learn more about Our Professional Leak Detection Services.
Why Low Water Levels Can Damage Your Pool
Allowing a pool to sit with a low water level for an extended period of time can be dangerous and lead to major damage.
Vinyl Liner Pools
In vinyl liner pools, a low water level can cause:
- The liner to wrinkle or tear
- The liner to pull out of its track
- Permanent liner damage
- Pool wall collapse in extreme cases
Concrete and Fiberglass Pools
For concrete or fiberglass pools, low water levels can lead to structural issues due to hydrostatic pressure from groundwater beneath the pool.
If the pressure becomes strong enough, the pool can actually lift out of the ground, a condition known as a pool “pop.” This type of structural failure is extremely expensive to repair and can also damage surrounding patios and plumbing lines.
What Should You Do If Your Pool Is Leaking Over the Winter?
If you suspect your pool is leaking in winter, the most important thing you can do is not ignore the problem. Waiting until spring may seem easier, but it can lead to much more serious and expensive issues.
The best course of action is to try to locate and repair the leak as soon as possible. In many cases, locating the leak requires having a professional scuba diver inspect the pool structure.
However, diving in a pool during the winter is much more difficult than during the swimming season due to very cold water temperatures.
If the leak cannot be immediately repaired while the pool is closed, you may need to periodically add water to maintain a safe water level until the problem can be fixed. Keep in mind that adding water throughout the winter can be:
- Expensive
- Wasteful
- Difficult due to freezing hoses and icy conditions
Regardless of whether you discover the issue in October or February, it is important to have a plan in place.
Our best plan of action is to contact a professional.
Contact Atlantic Leak Detection
If you believe your pool is leaking in winter, it is important to act quickly before the problem causes structural damage or costly repairs.
Contact Atlantic Leak Detection today to discuss your situation and determine the best course of action for locating and repairing the leak.
Call us today or reach out through Our Contact Page.
Our team proudly serves pool owners throughout New Jersey with professional year-round pool leak detection services. We look forward to hearing from you!